The Guildhall

The Guildhall, built as a Market Hall in 1574 and converted into the Guildhall in 1605, was enlarged and rebuilt in 1814. The building features a market arcade on the ground floor with the Council Chamber above, and a clock tower at the southwest corner. It is supported by three rows of octagonal columns. The arcade is original, while the first floor above is entirely from the 1814 reconstruction. The exterior is stuccoed, with a modillion cornice and parapet featuring pediments on the north and south fronts, each containing a round cartouche in the tympanum. The south side has round-headed windows, while the east and west sides have square-headed windows, and the north side features a single Venetian window, all with moulded architrave surrounds. Inside, there is panelling. The clock tower consists of four sections, with a rusticated ground floor, long and short quoins on the first floor, and pilasters flanking the clock face on the south side of the second floor, topped with a dentilled cornice and an inset parapet with a balustraded panel in the centre. The top section of the tower is an octagonal cupola with a leaden dome, surmounted by a ball and weather vane. All the listed buildings in the Market Place form a group.